My dad disowned me for following my passion – Bello Couture
Mastermind and Creative Director of the successful Bello Couture Gh, Bernnett Kwame has shared the extent of resistance he faced after deciding to pursue a career in fashion design full time.
The trained Medical Laboratory Scientist worked at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital for a year, moving to Bexter for two years before finally resigning to chase his dream as a fashion designer.
Sharing the reaction of his parents to his decision, Bello said, “It was very difficult I must say. It was difficult to the extent that my daddy disowned me. He told me I had made him waste money and taken me to school only for me to pursue fashion.”
The fashion business was not as profitable and renowned in the country 6 years ago when Bello decided to venture into the industry, and his father asked him to not use his surname. “My dad would be like I had made him waste money and I had decided to be a tailor. He asked me Kwame what is this? If you’re really going to do that, take my surname off you.”
Although his mum had some reservations about his decision, she came to accept Bello’s decision and gave him her blessings. He made this known in an interview with Kokonsa Kester on Y107.9FM’s Weekend Rush show.
According to the designer he tried to reconcile with his father and it took a TV interview for him to reach his father. “In my very first interview, I was given the platform to pour out my heart. Prior to the interview I informed my mum to watch it and she also told daddy. That day I spoke about the vision for the brand and was able to get through to him but we were not really close.”
Citing the incident that led to their reconciliation and really strengthened the bond between him and his father, he revealed, “He was involved in an accident and had to undergo a surgery which involved an outrageous cost. I stood in and raised the amount all alone and asked him later if he thought I could’ve done that on the salary of a Medical Laboratory Scientist.”
Bello’s daddy who understood his son then admitted he lashed out because he feared for his son’s future. “He told me he wanted the best for me and didn’t see my vision back then.”
Now the breadwinner of his family, he charges parents to give their wards the benefit of doubt and sup
Source: etvghana.com